BULLETCOSTS5222008-05-22-1211459495.jpgAmmo prices are on the rise and its forcing some competitive shooters to scale back.

"Ammunition materials, lead, copper and brass have doubled, tripled, quadrupled in price, said Fred Calcagno, owner of American Sportsman in East Rochester.

Competitive shooting is taking a big hit.

"A box like this is $14.99, we used to sell for $7.95, said Calcagno who says ammo prices have shot up over the past few years.

"People will look at the price of ammo and think we are overpriced. They run down to the next shop downtown, they drive all the way to another place and then they come back and say gee you are still two dollars cheaper, he said.

"This is probably one of the things that I do the most, said Paul Roberts, who has been a competitive shooter for the last 15 years. He loads his own ammo to save money.

"You basically buy all the components, the brass, the bullets, the gun powder, the primers, said Roberts. But Roberts says that too is getting more expensive.

Even if ammunition prices continue to rise competitive shooters are likely to pay the price to keep their fingers on the trigger.

"Bite the bullet and pay it. If you enjoy doing it you're going to have to pay the price and do it, said Roberts.

Calcagno says some are using smaller caliber ammo that costs less or they're scaling back on shooting altogether, passing on a favorite past time.

"Guys love to go to the range and punch some holes in the paper and unfortunately with the cost of ammunition it's out of range for the common man anymore, said Calcagno.